Hike the Laguna Trail & Coast Trail Loop
5.2 Miles
300 Feet
Photography, Hiking
Beginner
Year Round
Loop
This is a very easy but spectacular hike to the shores of Gulf of the Farallones with some truly beautiful views and a swing on a giant Eucalyptus.
Leave your car on a side of the road. When navigating there, put "HI Hostel Point Reyes" in your navigation - you park literally on the other side of the road, opposite to the hostel. Go to the west and soon you'll find the start of Coast Trail with a tsunami warning sign.
During first 1.8 mile you'll descent only 80 ft. Then you'll find a little path leading to the beach. Be careful, it can be handy to google times when there's a high tide as you'll maybe want to walk the next mile on the beach. Sometimes there are quite high cliffs an the water goes all the way up to them when there's a high tide and you don't want to be stuck there when this happens.
On the beach, there are some pretty cool opportunities for pictures - if you like photography, bring a photogenic friend and a camera. :)
Walk through Santa Maria Beach access. There you'll find a huge Eucalyptus with a rope swing. Go ahead, take few swings, it's fun!
After leaving this short path, go to the left. You'll pass Coast Campground - a primitive campground. Continue on Fire Lane Trail.
There's something over 300 ft ascent ahead of you, but the view from there is spectacular. Not only you see the ocean, but on the top of the hill, there's a lot of vegetation as the terrain looks like a shallow "bowl" and quite a lot of water stays there. You'll be able to admire some pretty colourful flowers (according to the season, of course).
From the top of the hill, continue on Laguna Trail (goes straight, the Fire Lane Trails turns to the right). You'll descent something around 200 ft. Continue on the road to the left until you find your car.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
Nearby Lodging
You'll love who you are when you are in Marin!
Marin County is just a little out there. As in one famous bridge away from San Francisco. And right next door to the vineyards and Napa and Sonoma. Closer than you could ever imagine to everything that's unique in this clever corner of California. Take a vacation from the typical vacation.